Friday, July 31, 2015

What's an Alex Sepkus jewelry? That depends on who you ask--a man or woman. To a woman, it's an impressive line of fine jewelry that evokes an artistic oneness with sophistication and glamor. To a man, well, it's nice but expensive. This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to differences between how man and woman think, from solving problems to relationships and to parking cars. Women are thought to be better at people's skills and multitasking, while men have better analytical focus. Although science is yet to prove this, researchers know that women's brain on the average is 8% smaller than men's, but have more interconnections. In short, men can think better using a straight line from point A to B as model, while women use a plane instead.

After giving her a Stephen Webster diamond ring and made your vows to love her forever, what's next? Often, relationships will hit a bumpy road sooner than later and how you react to these problems will strengthen or weaken you as a couple. When you find yourself in a troubled marriage, don't feel despair; there are ways to address this dilemma. If you're used to giving all in marriage, take a break and nurture yourself for the meantime. This will build your confidence to handle the issue with more emotional strength. Likewise, define what's bogging down the marriage. Is it money? Lack of trust? Differences? By focusing on a specific problem, it's easier to think of a specific solution. Also keep a low, non-aggressive tone when discussing issues. If this is hard, agree on a three-sentence rule during arguments and you'll lessen blaming and accusing each other.

Stephen Webster is available at Shreve & Co. in Palo Alto, California.

If you're planning to give her a Michael M. engagement ring any time soon, why not make it even more memorable with these romantic ideas? Do it in a karaoke bar and surprise her by singing her song (never mind if you can't sing). Visit the restaurant that you first took her out and order the same food as in your first date. Book a surprise vacation in a romantic city, say, Paris or Rome. Prepare a candlelight dinner at home and hold a big greeting card when she comes home. Have a singing or dancing group perform your announcement in a public place like office lobby or a restaurant. Whatever idea you come up with, make sure to capture the moment on video. Years from now, the two of you will have a good laugh about it.

Perhaps one of the best gifts you can give to her is a Kwiat diamond ring. It's elegant, glamorous, and sophisticated; it evokes a feeling that she's truly special. But there are other ways to make her special in case Kwiat is out of your reach for now. You can give her 12 roses, but with a twist. Make all red except for one white one, and write a note that says she's the special one among others. You can also give her a watch with an inscription: "I give you all my time." You can also prepare a bubble bath and surprise her when she comes home tired and stressed out. You can also make a medal that says "The World's Best," or something to the effect. Making her feel special need not be expensive, after all.

In any relationship, things change. It's how we adapt to these shifts as a couple that determine whether we keep a marriage or not. There are plenty of tips on how to maintain a long-term relationship. Here are five of them that focus on acceptance. Forget about a soul mate. A good relationship is about accepting your differences, not similarities. Likewise, it's about accepting that your partner is fallible. Even so, you don't humiliate her for that. Relationship is also about accepting a reality: sex does change. As you get old sex can give way to intimacy to show your love to each other. Appreciate life together amidst the changes. You know what doesn't change? A Hearts on Fire diamond ring. It lasts a lifetime, a symbol of your everlasting love.

Friday, July 24, 2015

Man will never get enough of love, that's why many definitions and quotes of that powerful cosmic force abound throughout history. In 1822, Stendhal wrote in his timeless opus Treatise on Love, "Love is like a fever which comes and goes quite independently of the will." Antoine de Saint-Exupéry in Airman’s Odyssey, says that "Love does not consist of gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction." Of course, when there's love-talk, there's Shakespeare, "Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind" (from A Midsummer Night’s Dream). No wonder that even among jewelry designers, love is a central element in their opulent pieces. Take for instance, FurrerJacot, who says that "Love is an all-consuming emotion, intense and yet indefinable, a powerful but invisible bond that joins two souls."

It has already been two long decades since Aaron Basha first thought of the Baby Shoe line of charms to commemorate the birth of this first grandchild. Since then, he had created a wide array of new charm collections that celebrate life milestones and other memorable moments. Take for instance the Aaron Basha Classic Enamel Saddle Shoe, an 18k gold black baby shoe charm, bedecked with white saddle and diamond bow Or the Aaron Basha Diamond Bow Shoe, another 18k gold piece featuring an all pink baby shoe charm adorned with 0.11 cts diamonds and a diamond bow. These are perfect gifts for kids and for adults, who are, according to Aaron Basha's trademark theme, are "Forever Young."

A masterpiece usually pertains to an artist's work that is given substantial critical admiration, particularly those that are regarded as the most important creation of an individual or a creation itself that exudes unparalleled workmanship or creativity. Notable samples of painting chef d'œuvre include Monet's Water Lilies, Da Vinci's Mona Lisa, and Van Gogh's Starry Night. Among jewelry experts, Harry Kotlar is considered as a definite choice when it comes to diamond masterpieces. Take for instance the Kotlar Cushion, which is recognized as the world's most brilliant cushion cut diamond. Kotlar has been creating one masterpiece after another for the past sixty years.

Get a masterpiece of your own. Get a Harry Kotlar piece at Shreve & Co. on Post Street, San Francisco.

That's what Mémoire is all about, the burning drive to create uncluttered, straightforward jewelry pieces that are evidently differentiated by their top-tier craftsmanship and uncompromising quality. Maybe ironic at one glance, such sheer dedication to simplicity at times even makes Mémoire pieces multiply itself---literally! Take for instance the Diamond Bouquets Collection. The one-of-a-kind diamond bouquet cast structure creates a look of a full solitaire diamond where the outcome is thrice the actual carat weight. In effect, the supposedly basic lines and clean design actually transforms a Diamond Bouquet piece into three times more its actual make. That's the power of purity and modesty in uncompromising quality and unparalleled mastery that only Mémoire can offer.

Find the Mémoire piece you've been looking for at Shreve & Co. in Portland, Oregon, an authorized Mémoire dealer.

Influential New York Times critic Charles Isherwood once said, "The relative unknowns ... bring enough style [to the musical] to make up for any perceived lack of stardust." Quite indeed, mere mentioning the word "stardust" provokes a feeling of magic or charisma. The same sensation of awe is behind Chimento's new collection, Stardust. A seamless fusion of technological precision and master craftsmanship, Stardust pieces feature Chimento-exclusive ergonomic designs that emerge from innovative production ideas. The Stardust white gold bracelet with diamonds, for example, emanates utter sophistication from its peculiar yet decisive form and make.

Get enthralled with your own Chimento Stardust piece, available at Shreve & Co. in Portland, Oregon.

Friday, July 17, 2015

It isn't just a glamorous diamond. A Cento stone by Roberto Coin stands out for one reason: it's the first diamond to feature 100 facets compared to the average 57 facets of ordinary diamonds. The result is a richer, kaleidoscopic brilliance because of its deeper refractive light trajectory. The Cento diamond appears hypnotic and grabs attention even in a roomful of fine jewelry. It's designed with one thing in mind: to impress even the most sophisticated client. Roberto Coin has spent years of research and work with the most skillful diamond jewelers to develop the techniques for the Cento's innovative cut. When you wear a Cento, you're not just wearing a luxurious diamond, you're also wearing a testament to the jewelry artist's passion for perfection.

Each diamond is precious, not only for its value, but the story it keeps. When you give someone a Penny Preville diamond ring, its true value lies in the memories that it represents, whether it's an engagement announcement or on the wedding day. It's the same reason, albeit on larger scale, that famous diamonds are renowned, because of the amazing stories that they keep. For example, the Orloff is a 300 carat bluish green diamond from India said to be set once as the eye of a Vishnu's image in a temple in Sriangam. It was stolen in the 1700s by a Frenchman and was sold to an English captain. It found its way to Amsterdam, where an ex-lover of Catherine the Great heard of the stone and bought it for 90,000 pounds and took it to Moscow. The diamond is now kept in the Diamond Treasury of Russia in that city.

Wellendorff diamond jewelry are lavish and can be overwhelmingly eye-catching for someone who is new to fine jewelry. But the signature isn't all about material value. It symbolizes passion and substance that give the brand a unique appeal and appearance. It's known for the movable rings and finely crafted 18k gold finished with cold enamel. Beyond the physical traits, Wellendorff has a line of collections that exude a story. For example, the Moments of Delight embodies happiness in small moments, like a surprise gift on an otherwise ordinary day. The Keep Me Safe tells of cupid's tale that matches two lonely strangers to become a happy couple. The Purple, perhaps, the most iconic of the collections, represents the royal lineage of the brand, which traces its roots in the nineteenth century on a watering hole favorited by German nobles.

Wellendorff is available at Shreve & Co. on Post Street, San Francisco.

We all love a great romantic story and we dream that we also experience one. And one way we express this aspiration is when we give a truly inspiring diamond jewelry like A. Link's square cut or pear shaped pendants. But be careful what you wish for. Not all great love stories end up happily ever after. In fact, one common element in many romantic stories is the tragedy that makes them more colorful. Nothing perhaps best illustrates a romantic tragedy than Romeo and Juliet. But there are other equally tear-jerking endings of recent popular love stories. For example, Nicholas Spark's The Notebook is a story of love and loss. Henry James' The Wings of Dove tells of a dying woman faced with her lover who's in love with someone else. Then there's Under the Jeweled Sky by Alison McQueen, which features a heroine who's forced to leave behind a magical place and her loved one.

There is an air of exuberance in Roberto Coin's Cocktail collection. The soft pastel hues of the gemstones are complemented by the illumination of the diamond and the finely finished gleam of precious metal. You can see the attention to details in the nuances of each jewelry piece. Wear these cocktail rings, earrings, pendants, and necklaces on a casual or formal evening and you'll never be out of step. The gemstones lend to the collection a lightness of feeling, while the rose gold and brilliant cut diamonds add glamor. We do like the pastel gemstones more; they're unique and have an inner core depth akin to black pearls that seem to take your gaze towards the very center of the stone. Before you know it, you've been staring at the jewelry longer than necessary.

Friday, July 10, 2015

The jewelry maker of the iconic cable bracelet has more styles to offer this quarter. We've seen dozens of new David Yurman designs this year, and three pieces caught our attention. The Chandlier Earrings with Peridot and Green Tourmaline in 18k Gold takes the brand away from the coiled theme. It's a great sign that David Yurman offers versatility, while keeping the free spirited flavor in this pair of danglers. We also love the Osetra Ring with Amethyst. It's made of darkened sterling silver, a unique take on the metal, and faceted with a paved gemstone. The band is shaped in a cable style as a signature. Lastly, the Renaissance Bracelet in 5mm cable brings us back to the original David Yurman concept and simplicity. It's a must-have for any collectors of this jewelry signature.

Did you know that you can upgrade your Martin Flyer wedding ring? You can change the look or classification of your existing ring, which cost less than buying another ring. There are plenty of reasons why you want a new ring look. For instance, your taste has changed or the ring is handed down to you by your mother but you want it to suit your style. A style change can also mean to celebrate an anniversary milestone or a special event like the birth of your first child. Getting a ring upgrade can also suit wedding vow renewals, or quite simply, you can now afford a more lavish style without throwing away the original ring. You can change the look to a Bombe Pave, Cut Down, Halo, hand engraved, or Wide.

What's the connection between a jewelry signature and the wholesale massacre of a people? Recently, talks are rife again about the Armenian genocide that saw about 1.5 million Armenians killed under the Ottoman empire (now Turkey) during World War I. Armenians were targeted by the Ottomans and forced to march to the Syrian desert with little or no food, resulting in large scale deaths from starvation and exhaustion. Unlike other genocides, the Armenian genocide is difficult to put a closure for lack of direct links from the perpetrators, who were the Ottomans, and who had since dissolved into modern Turkey. One of the victims turned out to be the grandfather of Kirk Karaguezian, founder of the jewelry brand, Kirk Kara. It was the old man who started a small shop in the 1890s that would inspire Kirk to create one of the most fine wedding and engagement ring brands today.

Did you know the signature jewelry A. Jaffeis selling maps? Not the printed version, but its Maps Collection feature necklace pendants with a street-level map engraved with a special location in it. Special, of course, depends on you, whether it's the restaurant where you met your partner, a memorable park in the neighborhood, or the old house where you grew up. A. Jaffe marks this special place in the engraved map with a diamond to commemorate its significance. Although the idea is likely not to strike a chord with traditional jewelry lovers, the A. Jaffe Maps is definitely unique. It's a nice gift idea to remind someone a special story. The pendants are available in sterling silver, white gold, yellow gold, and rose gold, and come in heart, circular and rectangular shapes.

The Spanish jewelry brand Carrera y Carrera known for its passionate designs and romantic flair features the Mi Musa Collection, yet another one of its lines that use love as theme. The collection is dedicated to the founder's muse, his wife, Marina, and features elements of harmony, striking composition, and precise execution. Each piece is a tribute to eternal love, represented by a classical depiction of a frog on a lilypad. The choice of theme is playful as it is romantic. The frog features an unblemished finish and detailed styling, while the leaf features subtle lines that suggest precision craftsmanship. Mi Musa is available in yellow and white golds, and accented with rubies, emeralds, tsavorite garnets, and diamonds. The rings are also available in large and small versions.

Carrera y Carrera is available at Shreve & Co. on Post Street, San Francisco.